A study performed by MIT and Oxford University found that people are 13 percent more productive when they're happy. This higher level of productivity impacts everything like:

How you communicate with others and build relationships

Where your career path takes you and how quickly

How effectively you navigate life

But a significant international Gallop Poll found the U.S.A.'s self-reported happiness level is 6.3 out of 10. We obviously have some work to do.

Yale University's Happiness Course may have the answer. As expected, they're taking an academic approach with a twist we'll share.

And this will make you very happy. It's free online, and you don't have to be a Yale student to take it.

About the Course

This isn't just another philosophy course where a professor tells you to do this or don't do that to be happy. Instead, this interactive course facilitated by Yale Psychology Professor Laurie Santos. She takes you through a set of challenges she has developed to increase happiness as well as productivity.

You'll explore the science behind happiness and how your own brain can work for you or against you as you try to be happy. This knowledge is power because you'll learn how to manage these natural responses to advance the pursuit of happiness.

The course is 100% online and very flexible, so it works in your schedule. If you abide by the "you get what you pay for" philosophy, you may feel that there aren't that many worthwhile things in life that cost nothing but your time. This is one of those rare exceptions.

A Sneak Preview

According to Santos, "Our minds lie to us all the time. We mis-want things. We think we need to change our life circumstances to become happier."

Santos has found that simple daily practices do a lot more toward helping you achieve this contentment you seek. It's the little things, not the enormous efforts that make a big difference. This course enables you to make these small changes.

And those who are interested can get an official certificate for completing the course for $49.

How the Yale Happiness Course Came About

The course was born out of the stress and chaos of campus life. Professor Santos found that many students were dealing with mental health issues. And she knew that college is often a snapshot of what they may be dealing with for the rest of their lives.

In response, she designed an on-campus course, "Psychology and the Good Life," which taught students how to re-wire their brains for happiness. After one in four Yale students signed up, she knew she needed to take these tools to the masses. The "The Science of Well-Being" happiness course was born.

The online course just went online and already has over 4.9 stars with 4,000 reviews.

How to Sign Up

What a great way to learn something meaningful in your spare time! To sign up, visit Coursera.org and search, "The Science of Well-Being". Follow the screens from there.

If you are looking to sell your home and move out of a major city, there is no need to worry. In fact, there are many quick, easy ways to ensure that you can enjoy a seamless home selling experience, even if your residence is located in the heart of a major city.

Now, let's take a look at three tips for selling a home in a major city.

1. Know Your Target Homebuyer

Think about what led you to buy your city home in the first place. Then, you can put together a home listing that highlights your home's features, thereby increasing the likelihood that your house will generate plenty of interest from potential buyers.

When you create a home listing, think about a city homebuyer's perspective. By doing so, you can ensure that your home listing hits the mark with the right group of buyers.

For example, if your home is located near popular city attractions, it may be worthwhile to include this information in your home listing. Or, if your home includes a new roof and other upgrades, you should incorporate lots of details about these upgrades into your home listing.

2. Establish an Aggressive Price for Your Residence

What you originally paid for your city home is unlikely to match the value of your residence today. However, with a comprehensive approach to analyzing your home's strengths and weaknesses, you can establish an aggressive home listing price from day one.

It often pays to conduct a home appraisal prior to adding a city home to the real estate market. During a home appraisal, a property expert will evaluate your residence, as well as compare and contrast your house against similar homes. After a home appraisal is finished, you will receive a property valuation that can help you set a competitive initial asking price for your house.

Don't forget to check out the prices of comparable houses in your city, either. With this housing market data at your disposal, you can see how your residence stacks up against the competition and price it accordingly.

3. Collaborate with a Real Estate Agent

If you're unsure about how to put together a home listing, price your residence or perform assorted home selling tasks, you should contact a local real estate agent. By hiring a real estate agent, you can receive expert assistance as you try to sell your city residence.

A real estate agent understands the ins and outs of selling a house in any city, at any time. Therefore, this housing market professional will make it easy for you to maximize the value of your city home.

Oftentimes, a real estate agent will meet with you and learn about your home selling goals. He or she then will add your city residence to the real estate market, promote it to potential buyers and keep you up to date throughout the property selling journey.

When it comes to selling a home in a major city, it helps to take an informed approach. Use the aforementioned home selling tips, and you can boost your chances of enjoying a fast, profitable home selling experience.

9 Southfield Lane ,
Sandwich, MA 02563

Sandwich (village)

Single-Family

$499,900

Price

4

Beds

7

Total Rooms

2/1

Full/Half Baths

Do not miss your opportunity to own this impressive Cape in desirable Southfield Estates with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths & 2 car garage on a cul-de sac. You are going to fall in love with the functional space in this fully equipped kitchen gas stove, stainless appliances, new granite counters, island & breakfast bar with plenty of cabinetry & 3 windows offering lots of light. Front to back living room with a gas fireplace, crown molding, dining area which is perfect for entertaining with slider out to huge deck with awning overlooking large fenced in yard. Den or office and half bath completes this 1st level. Upstairs offers a HUGE private master suite, sitting area with vaulted ceiling, walk in closet and updated large master bath with updated vanity, quartz counters & large walk in shower. Plus 3 more good size bedrooms and another full bathroom. The finished lower level provides extra space for media room , gym or extra space for guests. Central Air, 1st floor laundry, water heater 2017, freshly painted. Passing Title V on file. You will fall in love when you enter this move in ready home. Buyer/agents to verify all info herein.

Town Info

Do you love the idea of having fresh herbs available all year round but don't live in an area where it's possible to grow them outdoors in all seasons? You don't have to give up cooking with fresh herbs just because the weather outside is frightful — and you also don't have to install a complicated growing setup with special lights. If you've got a sunny windowsill, you can have fresh herbs even in the dead of winter. Following are just five of the many culinary herbs that you can have at your fingertips all year round with just a few indoor pots, some indoor potting soil, a sunny spot, and a little water.

Mint

Mint is a fragrant, prolific grower that thrives indoors when situated where it gets plenty of bright natural light. Use it in teas, cocktails, and as an aromatic garnish.

Thyme

A pinch of thyme makes almost any meal better, from egg dishes to soups and stews to roasts and grilled seafood. Grow it on a windowsill where it gets plenty of sun, and you'll be rewarded with an extra layer of deliciousness in nearly everything you place on the dinner table.

Parsley

Parsley is another easy-to-grow herb that fits just right on a bright kitchen windowsill. Use it in soups, stews, egg dishes, and, of course, its traditional use as a garnish to dress up plates with an added bit of greenery.

Oregano

As a member of the mint family, oregano is as tough as it is aromatic. Always have fresh oregano on hand for Mediterranean-based cuisine will make all the difference between fair and fabulous.

Sage

Adding sage bumps up the flavor profile of any savory dish, but it goes especially well with roasted meats such as pork beef, and poultry. It's also a classic herb to use in stuffing when seasonal feasting is on the menu.

Culinary herbs are meant to be used, so don't be afraid of using yours every chance you get. Use a sharp pair of scissors to remove the part you want to use just below the node on the stem — this encourages new growth and helps ensure that you've got plenty of fresh culinary herbs in future weeks and months. For low-growing herbs such as thyme, you can just pinch off however much you need.

Always keep in mind that even though the flowers of many herbs have a diminutive, whimsical aesthetic, resist the urge to allow your windowsill sill herbs to flower unless you want to collect the seeds. Leaves tend to taste bitter after herb plants flower, and except for woody herbs such as rosemary and lavender, most herb plants are biologically programmed to end their lifecycle once they've finished setting seed.

Please feel free to reach out for more information on enjoying your home to the fullest.

Selling a home in a buyer's market may seem like a major struggle, particularly for those who are listing a residence for the first time.

Fortunately, we're here to help you streamline the process of selling your house so you can get the best price for your residence, even in a buyer's market.

To better understand how to succeed in a buyer's market, let's take a look at three factors that every home seller should consider before they list a residence.

1. Your Home's Condition

What is the current state of your home? Ultimately, your home's condition will play a key role in how quickly you can sell your house, regardless of whether you're operating in a buyer's or seller's market.

Before you add your residence to the real estate market, it often is a great idea to complete a property appraisal. This evaluation will allow you to learn about your house's strengths and weaknesses and prioritize home improvement projects.

Furthermore, there are many quick, easy ways to enhance your home's interior and exterior.

Removing clutter from your home offers an excellent option for those who want to free up space inside a residence. Or, you can always trim the hedges, remove dirt and debris from walkways and perform other home exterior tasks to bolster your house's visual appeal.

2. Your Timeline

When do you need to sell your home? If you're in a hurry to sell your home, you'll need to proceed cautiously, especially if you're operating in a buyer's market.

In this scenario, you'll want to establish a competitive price for your home from the get-go. This will require you to analyze the prices of similar homes in your area so you can better understand how your house stacks up against the competition.

If you have several months to sell your home, you may be able to wait out a buyer's market. In the meantime, you can always complete assorted home improvements to upgrade your house both inside and out.

3. Your Housing Market Expertise

How do you intend to get the best price for your home in a buyer's market? You may need extra help along the way. Lucky for you, a real estate agent is happy to provide you with the assistance you need to succeed.

A real estate agent is a housing market expert who understands what it takes to sell a home in a buyer's market. He or she will be able to help you prep your home for the real estate market so you can speed up the home selling journey.

Usually, a real estate agent will promote your house to potential homebuyers, keep you up to date about offers on your house and negotiate with property buyers on your behalf. This housing market professional also can provide honest, unbiased home selling recommendations at each stage of the home selling cycle.

Remove the guesswork that is commonly associated with selling a home in a buyer's market – use these tips, and you should have no trouble generating plenty of interest in your residence as soon as it becomes available.